New Mexico
gay-bashers charged with hate crimes

Three young men accused of brutalizing an 18-year-old gay man for hours last weekend have been charged with hate crimes, according to New Mexico police, court documents, and a prosecutor. The men also allegedly kidnapped a woman, who was held in a camper and kicked and beaten while the man was repeatedly attacked after a house party in Edgewood. Prosecutor Donna Dagnall said the man suffered bleeding on the brain and a concussion as well as facial lacerations and bruising but has since been released from a hospital. Saying that "it's pretty clear to us that his homosexuality was the reason for the beating," Dagnal confirmed the three men allegedly responsible have been charged under New Mexico's hate-crimes law. Uriah Smith, 17, and William York, 21, are in custody as police look for a third man. All three are charged with two counts of kidnapping, aggravated battery causing great bodily injury, false imprisonment, and conspiracy. (Sirius OutQ News)